Welcome to Sarasota in Defense of Animals.

Unwavering loyalty and dedication, Since 1989 SDA has helped the animal victims of cruelty, neglect, sickness and abandonment.

SDA is proud of its accomplishments and the establishment of not only a credible reputation for protection of animals in Florida, but nationally as well.

Meet one of SDA's special volunteers

SDA would like to say, "thank you and meow" to EILEEN ENGBER!!

Having a wonderful sanctuary does not just happen! It takes a lot of hard work, love, compassion, money, and dedication by so many people who truly love SDA and the animals that live here. Our workers and volunteers go above and beyond for these precious animals... and we would like to acknowledge one of our long-time volunteers!

If we at SDA were asked to define loyalty, we would say, "Eileen Engber!!!"

For the past 12 (yes, 12) years, Eileen has come to our SDA sanctuary every Monday and works all day long in our catteries caring for 150 previously homeless resident cats. Eileen cleans litter pans, mops floors, feeds cats, gives medications and puts fresh laundry on places where our lazy cats lounge, sleep and hang out.

Eileen not only does all of these chores for the cats, but makes generous monetary donations as well. We often call upon her to transport cats to a veterinary clinic and she has even paid for the medical treatment for many of her favorite cats. Eileen has donated all of these services without fanfare for 12 long years and we are eternally grateful to her. Eileen Engber sets a pure example of loyalty and how to translate a love for animals into action. Thank you Eileen! SDA and the animals love you!

Have you had a bad experience purchasing a pet from Petland, Puppytown, or another retail pet store in Sarasota?

Please read the following and speak out about your experience!

We may be able to tell you exactly where your puppy came from. Remember, no matter what they tell you, ALL pet stores buy from puppy mills.

Retail pet stores often knowingly sell animals with preexisting health problems stemming from inhumane conditions. The buyers are then stuck paying for unexpected medical bills and many animals suffer needlessly from this practice. This is an acknowledged problem, and 9 other cities in alone Florida have already banned retail pet sales, with 35 cities banning the practice nation-wide.

For these reasons, the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners is currently reviewing an ordinance that would ban retail pet sales in Sarasota County while still allowing adoptions. This issue has become HOTLY contested, and the Board plans to revisit the issue in early 2014, pending further investigation.

To convince the Board that this dishonest and inhumane practice needs to be banned, we are currently collecting stories of people's negative experiences purchasing pets through retail sellers in Sarasota.

We ask that you share your story by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please include as much detail as you are comfortable with, such as rough dates, costs, photographs, and personal outcomes.

Please forward this email to anyone you think may have an opinion on this or a story to share.

Help us stop this dishonest and inhumane business practice by convincing the Board to ban it in Sarasota!

Tatum Ridge Elementary - Save The Animals!

A special thank-you goes to Mrs. Ozkan's Tatum Ridge Kindergarten Class, that held a plant sale and raised an amazing $622 for SDA.

Mrs. Ozkan is a remarkable teacher who has been leading her classes for many years in a humane project called, "The UNLESS project" whereby her class makes and sells items to raise funds for donation to SDA. Every year they surprise us with a really nice size check from the proceeds of their project. "The UNLESS Project" is designed to encourage her little kindergarteners to make the world a better place and gets its motto from the Dr. Seuss book, The Lorax, quote: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

These are hard times for people and for animals. Finances for all non-profits are bleak and this is certainly true for SDA. We have made deep cuts in our budget and are doing all we can to survive in this recession.

We appreciate your monetary support and have great faith and trust that we can continue to provide the necessary care for our 400 precious animals.

PLEASE help SDA help our animals by making a contribution on our website or by mail to SDA, PO Box 15653, Sarasota, FL, 34277-1653. SDA is registered with the IRS as a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, ID No. 65-0124076.

SDA is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida, filed on June 29, 1989 and the document number of the corporation is N33042 and has complied with the registration requirement of Chapter 496, Florida Statutes, the Solicitation of Contributions Act. All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. Registration #SC-07264.

All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. SDA is a non-profit 501(c)3 corp. Registration #SC-07264. SDA receives 100% of each contribution. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained by calling 1-800-435-7352 within the state of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State.